1965: · (Unit Historian: CW2 Donald C. Uzzle) The 147th was
activated on 20 June 1965 as one the first CH-47 Chinook units in Army
Aviation by HQDA 3rd Army Order #186. After activation at Ft. Benning, GA,
it began a rigorous and intensive training program to prepare helicopter
crews and support personnel for deployment to the Republic of Vietnam. The
unit was assigned under the 44th Air Transportation Battalion, 10th
Aviation Group with 8 commissioned officers, 26 warrant officers and 142
enlisted men. On 14 August the unit was alerted for duty to Vietnam and
had until 15 September 1965 to be ready.

· On 2 October, 18 CH47's of the 147th Transportation Company were
the largest number of CH47's ever to be flown across the U.S. at once. It
took 4 days from Ft Benning to Ft Stockton, CA.

· The Hillclimbers deployed to Southeast Asia on 8 November 1965
after their historic flight from Ft. Benning.

·On 1 December, the 147th Transportation had the honor to have the
1st CH47 to fly in Vietnam at Vang Tau AAF. They were assigned to the 11th
Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, and U.S. Army Vietnam.

·The instructor pilots cross-trained all pilots to be aircraft
gunners.

·The 1st combat mission was on 17th December, where 17 CH47's
repositioned 1,756 combat troops of the 173rd Airborne Bde to III Corps
and did it in only 5 hours.

· On 22 December, the first aircraft recovery for the IV Corps area
was an UH-1D. It was within 1 hour of the "Mayday" call when the
CH47 delivered the aircraft home.

· "Operation Big Cheer" on the 25th of December had 6
CH47's fly Bob Hope and the USO entertainers around the III Corps on a
goodwill mission. He was impressed with the flight and at the one point
sat in the troop commander's seat and observed the flight. Upon completion
Mr. Hope thanked the 147th for its participation and support.

· 1st Month in Vietnam 453.9 hours

786 tons of cargo

5,200 passengers

6 aircraft recoveries

36 medical evacuations

1,086 sorties

· On the 31st of December, on an emergency resupply mission, CPT
Morris Jessup and CW3 Alvey Martz encountered hostile fire and became the
first aircraft casualty of the unit by receiving 4 hits of which 2 were
critical but the aircraft was able to recover back to rear for repairs.

1966

· (Unit Historian: Major Harold D. Zumbro)

·The unit was assigned for direct support of the 1st ID, 25th ID,
173rd Airborne Brigade, Royal Australian Artillery.

· The 147th Aviation Company had the following units attached to
them: the 171st Maintenance Detachment (AVIM) and the 772 Medical
Detachment

· The 147th had 16 CH47's and 2 CH47 float aircraft · The
first 31 days of 1966: 2,127 sorties 908 hours 2,275 tons of cargo 10,959
passengers · The average aircraft recovery was 1 aircraft recovery
every 2½ days.

· The first 8 days of 1966, the 147th moved 5 artillery batteries,
2 airborne battalions, and 1 infantry brigade

· On January 8th, during a mission to recover 2 UH-1D's by CW2
Kenneth Donley and CW2 John Banks, they made the first successful recovery
but then received 4 hits in PZ. The pilots then replaced their aircraft
with another and called in armed aircraft but as they approached the LZ
again. They got hit and received 2 more hits. One round seriously wounded
crewmember SPC6 Patrick Convoy. Because of the severity of the wound and
intense fire mission, they aborted and SPC Convoy was evacuated to the
93rd hospital to Bien Hoa. Later 1LT Lloyd Ellison and CW2 James Miner
recovered the aircraft.

· The 147th recovered a UH-1B 50 miles NE of Phan Thiet, which was
not in 147th AO, but they dispatched anyway. The site said they would have
to destroy the aircraft if not immediately recovered. They recovered the
Huey and were bringing it back and while approaching the runway lights the
3/8-inch clevis holding the sling to the mast failed and dropped the
aircraft approximately 20 feet causing serious damage to the Huey.

· On an air assault while extracting the 173rd Bde, 7 out of 8
Chinooks on approach to LZ received hits from VC ground fire. SPC5 George
Fifer was wounded, 1 aircraft was damaged and 2 were aborted to make
emergency landing. After 1st lift, 7 aircraft met at alternate LZ to
estimate damage and 3 were not in flying condition because of the hits in
rotor blades and fuel cells. For the 2nd and 3rd extractions, the 4
aircraft compensated for the other 3 by augmenting 53+ troops per lift.

· On January 18, 3 CH47's combined to recover a downed CV-2
Caribou, located 185 miles away. Due to the size, heat, etc. the wings,
tail section, and engines were removed to allow it to be slung. The trip
took 4 refuel stops and 3 days to complete and the first CV-2 Caribou ever
recovered by a CH-47 in Vietnam.

· The month of February:

2,548 tons

831 hours

1,938 sorties

1 aircraft recovery every 2 days

· On February 6th, 6 CH-47's extracted 160 tons of rice that was
captured by 173rd Airborne Brigade on a search and destroy mission. The
men of the 147th donated the rice to the children of Vang Tau orphanage.

· Also on February 8th, there were 6 aircraft recoveries by one
aircraft on one day (3 x UH-1B's, 2 Navy, 1 x CH34).

· February 26, the 147th made the first night recovery. There was
an urgent mission that could not delay until morning because a UH-1D was
unsecure and if the recovery was not made now they would have to destroy
the aircraft. 1LT Robert Kibler and CW2 Robert Sword knew it was an
extremely difficult to hover over aircraft and hook up in total darkness,
no illumination and exposure to enemy fire was great. At 2000 the aircraft
arrived at the PZ and a rigging team from the 56th Maintenance was already
at work preparing the aircraft lighting to provide light so the rigging
team turned their searchlight toward the area. As they maneuvered over the
load, they determined there was insufficient light available. Another
helicopter landed next to them to direct its light also toward the site.
The added light was enough to pick up the load. SPC5 James Stutteville
provided directions during the maneuver and after tense moments of
hovering in darkness the hook up was good. The aircraft turned all lights
off so the VC could not determine the direction of flight. They were
escorted by 2 armed UH-1B's but had no hostile fire.

· The unit also had serious grounding due to failures in the
combining transmission quill shafts. The entire fleet was grounded except
for emergencies. The failed shafts were sent to the states accompanied by
CW2 Eugene Sloan to Boeing and he stayed to answer questions.

· The month of March

1,045 hours

3,183 tons of cargo

8,515 troops

17 recoveries

· Due to the high velocity winds from the Chinooks, the units
quickly learned that staging areas, and Pick up zones and landing zones
should not be adjacent to bivouac or built up areas. The Hillclimbers had
disintegrated many temporary structures within 75 feet of the rotors. Many
complaints had been sent to the 147th.

· The Hillclimbers sponsored and trained the 178th Aviation (CH-47)
on their arrival to Vietnam. The companies' crews were integrated and
logged 580 hours of training with the 178th.

· The first quarter of 1966;

2,784 hours

8,007 tons of cargo

28,910 passengers

44 aircraft recoveries

51 evacuations

· April of 1966

1,040 hours

6,639 passengers

2326 tons of cargo

1 aircraft recovery every 1 ½ days

· On 4 April, the 147th made the first water rescue when a CH-47
flown by CPT Leonard Wilson and CW2 James Minor returning from a mission
heard a "mayday" from a USAF F-100 pilot who gave his distress
and direction while ejecting. They spotted the parachute in the South
China Sea, and quickly found the pilot. The aircraft hovered over the
pilot and tried to use the rescue winch but it failed, so SPC6 Lester
Wolfe started to repair it immediately. While repairing the hoist, they
landed in the water but the door proved to be too high to allow crew to
reach for the pilot. Within 5 minutes, SPC6 Wolfe fixed the winch and
rescued the pilot. From the time the "mayday" was called, the
pilot was rescued in a total of 21 minutes.

· The 178th Aviation became operational on 10 April 1966.

· 21 April, CW2 Fred Farmer and CW2 James Miner did the first night
extraction in Vietnam by a CH-47 for 4 seriously wounded personnel at
using the winch. .

· 4 May, Aircraft 64-13138 went out of control and crashed and
burned while flying a resupply mission in support of the 101st Airborne
Division. The aircraft was totally destroyed and 21 personnel received
fatal injuries and 5 soldiers from the 147th died.

· 9 June, a Chinook flown by CPT Harold Gonyers and CWO Charles
Davis evacuated 25 wounded by winch for the 101st and hovered for 45
minutes and received 4 hits from the enemy

·17 June, the 147th Aviation Company (Medium Helicopter) and was
redesignated 147th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC).

·28 June there was a change of command where Major Don Butler gave
command to Major Jack Keaton.

· In July, Woody Hayes head football coach of Ohio State University
visited the 147th.

· 11 August, the 147th transported its 50,000th passenger since
arriving to Vietnam. It was SGT Roland Sherman from HHC 1-28 Infantry, 1st
Infantry Division and received a plaque and 4 day pass.

· The 147th flew flood relief supplies and evacuated animals for
the Vietnamese including chickens, pigs, and ducks. There was however an
attempt to slingload a cow. Unfortunately it was unsuccessful. The farmer
mourned over the casualty and unit paid the farmer for the cow and made
steaks for everyone.

· On 1 OCT, Hillclimber 132 flew its 1,000th hour; this was the
first operational CH47 to break 1,000 hours in Vietnam.

· On 2 October a Chinook flown by MAJ George Martin and CPT Art
Eduid was shot down in enemy territory. It was then secured by gunships
and later by ground troops. A CH54 was requested because the aircraft was
unrepairable and could not be flown. It would take 3 days to get the
recovery team to the site. The S2 reported VC massing units nearby and on
3 OCT at first light the 171st Maintenance led by CPT Leo Wilson was at
the site. They stripped down the CH47, first the engines then
transmissions, then blades, etc. At 1600, they lifted all the parts out to
Phu Loi; the 178th ASHC (CH47) took the aircraft to Vung Tau. This was the
first recovery of a CH47 by another CH47 under adverse conditions in the
Republic of Vietnam

· The Hillclimbers on November 1st made the first aircraft recovery
of a CH-47 being recovered by another CH-47 under hostile fire.

· 12 NOV, during a night gun employment Hillclimber 076 was hit by
enemy fire north of Tay Ninh. SPC Charles Kelly returned fire and marked
the area with smoke, and later gunships were called in and found 4 enemy
dead.

· The only casualty for the quarter was CWO Former, who received
facial wounds on an air assault mission, where the enemy shot through the
windshield.

· Last quarter of 1966

2,583.3 Hours

5,360 sorties

8,168 tons of cargo

16,087 passengers

· The total for 1966

9,320 hours

Operation rate 76%

23,426 sorties

27,091 tons of cargo

69,747 passengers

146 aircraft recoveries

266 medical evacuations

The unit and soldiers were awarded:

Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm

7 Distinguished Flying Crosses

7 Bronze Stars 46 Air Medals w/ "V"

7 Purple Hearts 46 ARCOM's

· On Christmas day, Bob Hope came with mission support and many of
the soldiers were able to go see his show.

1967

1967 (Unit Historian: MAJ Raymond Fossum)

· 15 January, the 147th was the first CH-47 unit to surpass 10,000
flight hours in Vietnam.

· 15 January, aircraft 66-0072 crashed near Can Tho and the
aircraft was a total loss and the crew of five all died. The aft green
blade failed.

· The first naval support mission by a CH-47 was a rendezvous with
the naval support ship for operation "Deck House 5" by CW3 Leroy
Brendle and CW2 Joseph Miller.

· January

771.7 hours

1,448 sorties

1,970 tons

6,795 passengers

22 down aircraft recoveries

57 medical evacuations

· February

720 hours

1,907 sorties

2500 tons of cargo

5,252 passengers

22 aircraft recoveries

86 medical evacuations

· 1 Feb, MAJ John Moran Jr. took command of the 147th.

· On February 2nd, a CH-47 took 7 hits on a night resupply and 1
crewman PFC Robert Farthing was wounded and received a Purple Heart.

· February 15th, in the Mekong Delta, Hillclimber 075 observed 2
Navy River patrol Boats (PBR) under attack by VC. The PBR's were
desperately trying to go to the middle of the river. Hillclimber door
gunners engaged the enemy with their M60's. The pilot made several passes
over the enemy so each gunner could have their shot to silence the enemy
position. The VC wavered under the attack allowing the PBR to gain
relative safety on the river. The pilots sent calls for gunships so they
could also engage and silence the position.

· 12 March, a freak accident happened on aircraft 62-2132 piloted
by CW3 Harold Miller; where a fragmentation grenade accidentally exploded
inside the aircraft after leaving the PZ with a 105mm slung and a gun crew
8 inside. After the explosion, they returned to the PZ and found the
aircraft still flyable but 6 soldiers wounded and one dead. Crewmember PFC
William Campbell was wounded. His flak vest saved his life. The
crewmembers saved 3 of the 6 soldiers by using CPR and first aid. Both
crewmembers received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Boeing Vertol
Rescue Award.

· The 147th were notified that all 1962 Chinooks were to be
remodeled and turned in and received 1966 replacements.

· First quarter of 1967

2,188 hours

7,482 tons of cargo

18,216 passengers

98 medical evacuations

69 aircraft recoveries

Participated in the following operations "Manhattan",
"Dayton", Portsea"

· On April 4th the unit got to meet their enemy when they
transported 37 VC prisoners to Saigon.

· Month of April:

807 hours

6,777 passengers

2,319 sorties

3,420 tons of cargo

6 medevacs

20 aircraft recoveries

· 30 May, flew their 100,000th
passenger

· 24 April, the last of the 1962 Chinooks were turned in when
aircraft 62-2124 slung aircraft 62-2120 to the port at Vung Tau.

· On 25 April, Hillclimber 989, piloted by CPT Lloyd Mason and CW2
Marvin Johnson responded to an USAF pilot requesting evacuation. They
hovered over the dense foliage for 20 minutes and using the hoist
recovered 4 personnel.

· On 3 May, the unit transported 18 KIA's from the 101st from Dong
Tam to Saigon.

· 5 May, the unit received all new aircraft consisting of 4 x 1965
models and 12 x 1966 models.

· The month of May

920 hours

2,853 sorties

11,276 tons of cargo

9,581 passengers

28 aircraft recoveries

124 medical evacuations

· 24 May, the 147th slung the first 155mm howitzer in Vietnam for a
combat mission

· 30 May, 2 Chinooks set a record for moving 1,203 passengers in 7
hours of flying

· Hillclimber 66-0073 was the first operational landing at sea for
the HMS Sydney by a Chinook. The unit's LNO with his pathfinders were
mistakenly left on naval ship when it left port and set sail. The ship was
10 miles out at sea when the Chinook arrived to pick up its fellow
Hillclimbers. The Australians awarded them a plaque for their achievement.

· May, the 147th carried its 80,000,000th
pound of cargo in Vietnam and its 100,000 passenger.

· June 1st, a CH-54 Detachment (3 aircraft) were attached to the
147th with 4 pilots and 20 crewmembers.

· 19 June, the first CH-54 (Sky Crane) flew from the detachment.

· On 24 June, the Hillclimbers worked with the Australian Task
Force for a CS gas drop under complete IFR conditions. The aircraft in
conjunction with Vung Tau radar on a preplotted course, made 3 CS drops
from 3,000 MSL and were observed to hit right on target thus causing much
weeping on the VNA regiment.

· 2nd quarter of 1967

2,437 hours

22,416 passengers

17,847 tons of cargo

71 aircraft recoveries

143 medical evacuations

· Month of July:

772 hours

2,339 sorties

2,503 tons of cargo

9,462 passengers

15 aircraft recoveries

· 7 July, a tragedy occurred over the South China Sea as 2 B-52's
collided and rained wreckage of men and machine. 2 Chinooks flew 40-60
miles off the coast, and were on station for over 8 hours for 2 days
looking for debris and remains.

· The Hillclimbers carried its 80,000,000th
pound of cargo in Vietnam.

· The Hillclimbers recovered its 300th
aircraft recovery.

· 17 July, MAJ Charles Gillman took command of the 147th. "Figures
are distracting at times because they fail to tell the complete story.
They fail to tell the assigned pathfinders preparing the loads, working
from dusk till dawn, repelling hostile areas to setup LZ's or PZ's.
Neither has the story been related to the maintenance crew that worked
deep into the night so that the aircraft and operational crew could press
on; or the crews that worked long and arduous hours flying 10-12 hours
straight! These are the nucleus, these are the guts of the unit that get
all types of records and will continue to accept the challenge "No
Hill for a Climber!"

· 16 August, another chinook passed 1,000 hours in country but this
one was crewed by SPC Gilbert Butts Jr. and SPC Alfred Norton. The
aircraft required 10 inspections, required 660 man-hours and a total of
6,000 maintenance hours.

· August

998 hours

3,911 tons of cargo

10,099 passengers

16 aircraft recoveries

254,000 cargo miles

4 medical evacuations

· 1 September, a new record was set when 3 CH47's hauled 317.5 tons
of cargo in 20.5 combined hours

· There was relief for the Hillclimbers because the 242nd Assault
Helicopter Company became operational in the Republic of Vietnam.

· Hillclimber 033 flying down the canal in the Mekong Delta lost
power while attempting to place beams on a bridge being built under
supervision by the U.S. Special Forces. The aircraft settled into the five
feet of water in the canal. The recovery crew removed rotor blades,
engines, and rigged for evacuation along with the help of engineer scuba
divers. The CH-54 crane due to the weight was unable to gain ETL. Major
Machen then hovered his chinook just adjacent to the PZ directing a 90mph
rotorwash into the PZ to make the CH-54 flight possible.

· October 3,367 sorties

4,246 tons of cargo

11,205 passengers

22 aircraft recoveries

10 evacuations

· MAJ John Caron took command of the 147th.

· 3 November, CPT Robert Clark, CW3 Jerry Bishop, and Roy Molick
returned from 30 days of support for the USAF in Udron, Thailand.

· 7 November CPT Clark monitored a distress call from an artillery
unit, which explained a truck full of ammo overturned trapping a soldier
underneath. He hovered over and safely lifted the truck far enough to
remove the trapped soldier. The effort resulted in the man's arm being
saved.

· November

1130 hours

4,084 tons of cargo

12,076 passengers

25 aircraft recoveries

· December 24, the Hillclimbers on a Good Samaritan mission had 3
loads of personnel to Lai Khe for the Bob Hope show on 24 December and
again on the 25th for the show, which was held at Bearcat home of the 9th
ID.

· December

1,170 hours

32,708 passengers

11,900 tons

64 aircraft recovery

· The year of 1967

10,640 hours

29,318 sorties

38,159 tons

111,403 passengers

245 aircraft

268 evacuations

· The unit and Soldiers were awarded

19 Distinguished Flying Crosses

1 Soldier Medal

16 Bronze Stars

92 Air Medals

48 Air Medals with "V"

27 ARCOMs

4 ARCOMs with "V"

510 Air Medal Clusters

3 Purple Hearts

1968

1968 (Unit Historian: Major Gordon Hunt)

· The 147th was under the 214th CAB and the 1st Aviation Brigade.

· January

1,220 hours

13,466 passengers

4,780 tons of cargo

6 aircraft recoveries

· 11 January, the 147th became the 1st CH47A Chinook company to fly
20,000 combat support hours in the Republic of Vietnam. The date is 4 days
short of a full year to the date the Hillclimbers topped the 10,000 hour
mark.

· 30 January, CW3 Carl Vertrees and CW2 Ed Zober were preparing to
launch from Can Tho on a tactical flight emergency happened when the
airfield came under attack. A round came through the cockpit and hit CW2
Zaber on the helmet. As he rolled down the floor from the impact, another
round came directly through the vacant area. CW2 Zaber's only sufficient
wounds were from the flying glass.

· After the attack, CW3 Royce Roley and CW1 David Zoller proceeded
to Soc Trang for a troop pick up. Arriving at Soc Trang in marginal
weather they found it also under attack and returned back to Can Tho only
to find it also under attack. It was indeed a frustrating night and will
be remembered as the start of "TET".

· 31 January, 3 Hillclimbers 027 (MAJ John Caron, CW3 James
Godfrey, SP6 Newton Coryell), Hillclimber 035 (CPT Robert Clark, CWO Sam
Taylor, SPC Leslie Carti, SPC Francis Beabout, PFC Tom Epperson) and
Hillclimber 038 (CW2 Donald Bartholomay, CWO James Reynolds, SP5 Lewis
Parks, SP4 James Cahill, SP4 James Vaness) launched for a tactical
emergency to pick up troops and carry them to Saigon to help defend the
city. Although Lai Khe was under mortar attack, the 3 chinooks landed and
picked up the troops and departed for Saigon. Approaching Saigon, the
aircraft came under intense ground fire and the 2 lead aircraft were
repeatedly struck. Upon landing, aircraft 027 and 035 had to be shut down
for inspection while 083 continued the mission. Aircraft 027 was grounded
due to battle damage. Aircraft 035 was still flyable and departed for the
2nd sortie. Aircraft 035 completed the sortie and was then diverted for a
medical evacuation mission. Due to heavy sniper fire in the streets,
aircraft 038 was unable to find an area to sit down and returned to the
PZ. Mission was completed and all aircraft released to Vang Tau.

· February relaxed after "TET"

1140 hours

8,694 passengers

3,524 tons of cargo

OR rate 76%

· 5 February, Hillclimber 074 was hit by small arms and crewed by
CW3 Godfrey and CW1 Cross.

· 10 February, aircraft 007 (CPT Goodloe, CW1 Taylor, SP6 Otis, SP4
Helton, and PFC Jones) lost power on final approach with a sling load
going into a LZ in south Saigon. The sling load was jettisoned but hung on
the hook. The aircraft settled on the load and tipped over causing
extensive damage to the blades and major components. There were no
injuries.

· 15 February, CW3 Royce Raley and CW1 Samuel Taylor received heavy
ground fire while flying Hillclimber 001 on a resupply mission. One round
punctured the aft transmission oil sump and oil began flying everywhere.
The FE SPC5 William Lee proved to be "Johnny on the Spot" and he
quickly stuck his gloved finger into the hole and waited until CW3 Raley
found a secure area to land. After the aircraft was shut down, SPC5 Lee
took his finger from the hole and the hot oil poured onto the ramp.

· 16 February, Hillclimber 989 fell victim to enemy fire. The
aircraft at 1,000 feet had a round struck and severed the utility line and
the #2 hydraulic line. Aircraft safely returned to original drop point
with oil spewing everywhere. There was an unsuccessful attempt to repair
the ship and it had to stay a night under the stars. Early the next
morning a maintenance team arrived and within 2 hours the ship again was
flyable. Before both engines were started, the VC began delivering heavy
mortar rounds into the area. Aircraft 989 pulled pitch with one available
engine. The takeoff was executed just in time to prevent the aircraft from
receiving a direct hit just seconds after the aircraft lifted. The other
engine was started in-flight.

· Last week of February, the 147th began working with the members
of the 271st Assault Support Helicopter Company who just arrived in
country. They fully oriented the new company and the new crews with their
AO and to instruct them of their duties as combat crewmembers.

· March 1st, MAJ George Leaf assumed command from MAJ John Caron. ·
March, the Hillclimbers were working in the Tay Ninh Province. The
missions saw as many as 12 chinooks and 2 Skycranes in support of the 25th
ID. The establishment of the fire support base NE of Tay Ninh required
other aircraft from the "Muleskinners", "Geronimoes", "Black
Cats" and the "Super Hooks".

· March

1,194 hours

11,797 passengers

4,933 tons

0 aircraft recoveries (1st since arriving)

· First Quarter 1968

3,554 hours

12,237 tons

33,957 passengers

510 evacuations

11 aircraft recoveries

· April

1,195 hours

13,471 passengers

5,743 tons of cargo

· 17 April, the 147th donated 12 barrels of diesel fuel to father
Berguet who managed a Lepersarium NE of Bien Hoa. He has been active in
the endeavor for over 40 years.

· May

1100 hours

12,516 passengers

4,745 tons

83% OR rate

· 4 May, Hillclimber 027 performed one of the fastest air rescues
of the Vietnam Conflict. Major Herbert Degner and CW2 Samuel Taylor were
returning to Vung Tau from Xuan Loc after a resupply mission. The FE SPC4
James Choate observed an USAF O-1 crash directly below them. SPC4 Choate
informed the pilots and they entered a descent. Landing near the crash
site, the crewmembers were dispatched to assist downed aviators. Neither
pilot appeared seriously injured. They were loaded on 027 to Vung Tau and
the ambulance was called in-flight and standing by. Total time from crash
to hospital was 31 minutes.

· The Hillclimbers flew their 25,000th
hour of counter-insurgency operations on the 10th of May.

· The first "B" model arrived to the unit when they flew
2 CH47A's from Vung Tau to Bearcat and exchanged them for 2 new "B"
CH47's. The Hillclimbers had another mission to orient the newly arrived
272nd Assault Support Company to their new AO in the country Vietnam.

· June

1,183 hours

12,466 passengers

3,999 tons of cargo

82% OR rate

· Second quarter

3,478 hours

38,453 passengers

14,487 tons of cargo

0 aircraft recoveries

52 evacuations

· August 1,336 hours (highest ever)

· Third quarter

3,766 hours

49,625 passengers

15,008 tons of cargo

3 aircraft recoveries

8 medical evacuations

· On July 2, the Hillclimber CH47's were involved in first
extensive experimentation with airborne fire fighting techniques using a
450-gallon bucket.

· 5 July, Change of Command from Major Leaf to Major Billy J.
Patterson.

· The Hillclimbers flew their 100,000th ton of cargo on the 20th of
July · 22 July, Major Raymond Fossum on his 90 day commanders
evaluation with his IP CW2 Bartholomay. Slinging an 8,000-pound artillery
piece, had an engine failure, and then flew to a secure area to release
the load from 50 feet. They flew back for a roll on landing. He passed his
check ride.

· 22 July, Hillclimber 034 (CW2 Ronald Martin and CW2 Kjell
Milsson) received 27 hits from enemy VC. The #1 hydraulic system was shot
away and fumes from a fuel leak filled the aircraft, so they landed in a
secure area. The crewmembers made the repairs and flew within 4 hours.

· July

1,120 hours

14,594 passengers

4,227 tons of cargo

· 18 August, CW1 James Boschma flying Hillclimber 027 wounded his
left arm from a sniper. CW2 John Nicol took over the controls and SPC
Lindsey Harrington admitted first aid to the wounded pilot. The mission
was continued proving the Hillclimbers "can do" attitude. The
wounded CW1 was harassed by the flight crewmembers for staining the seat
and bleeding all over the pilot's console.

· 18 August, CW3 Royce Raley and CPT James Fraser while on
personnel transport mission, lost their #2 engine and then entered IFR
conditions. They contacted "Paris Control" who vectored them for
a roll-on landing.

· 20 August, a VC sniper brought Hillclimber 989 to the ground in a
ball of flames. While the aircraft was departing a fire support base Dong
Son on a resupply 1LT Sherfey and CPT Frasier received small arms and
numerous hits. While doing a flight check, SPC6 Yacin stated the aft end
of the aircraft was on fire. CPT Fraser immediately entered an
autorotation while the 1LT jettisoned the load. A soft landing was made
and crew scrambled for safety as the aft pylon fell off the burning
aircraft. CW1 Sam Magel and 1LT Charlie Adam working the same mission
circled the aircraft while making radio calls and then landed and picked
up the crew.

· August

Record 1,336 hours

18,044 passengers

5,008 tons of cargo

· September

1300 hours

5,773 tons of cargo

16,987 passengers

· 4 September, CWO Robert Pruess was wounded in the leg on
Hillclimber 074; CW2 Nichol took control of the aircraft. Robert was
medevac to Japan and later sent back to CONUS.

· 13 September, disaster was avoided by quick thinking by SPC6
Lewis Parks on Hillclimber 038, flown by CW3 Royce Raley and CPT Kenneth
Gibbert on a night search and rescue mission. The mission required that
flares be dropped from the cargo hole so illumination could be provided to
search for downed aircraft. The 70th flare to be dropped malfunctioned and
exploded over the hole. PFC Jerry McDaniel was wounded from the explosion,
but the main danger was the remaining flares that began to catch on fire.
SPC Parks reacted to the situation quickly disposing of the burning flares
out the rear of the aircraft.

· Fourth quarter of 1968, the 147th was newly designated under the
164th Combat Aviation Group.

· 15 October there was a groundbreaking ceremony for the new
company day room and was broken in by MAJ Patterson and 1SG Hallman and
project manager SP6 Sam Swindell.

· October

1,266 hours

12,273 passengers

64,442 tons of cargo

· 30 November, the change of command where MAJ Gordon Hunt took
command from MAJ Patterson.

· November

1,154 hours

5,478 tons of cargo

12,213 passengers

· December

1,172 hours

3,840 tons of cargo

12,208 passengers

· The 147th transferred from the 222nd Combat Support Aviation
Battalion to 214th Aviation Battalion located at Dong Tam.

· 12 December, Hillclimber 096 upon take off lost power and
crashed. The crew sustained no injuries but the aircraft had major damage
and 5 Vietnamese were killed. This was the first accident in over 10
months.

· 24 December, Hillclimber 087 on a resupply mission for the Navy
to Poulo Obi Island off South Vietnam landed on the island to unload. The
attempt to start the aircraft found that the APU broke. A maintenance
aircraft was launched but had to head back due to weather.

· December 25th, Santa Claus came when Hillclimber 128 (crewed by
CW2 David Helton, 1LT Patterson, SP6 Harry Frazier, SP4 Paul Michelson,
and SP4 Alfonzo Lee) arrived at Poulo Obi Island to bring 087 an APU for
Christmas. Also, BG Emil Eschenberg Deputy Commanding General of Capital
Military Assistance Command paid the Hillclimbers a visit. He spent the
day shaking hands and chatting with the soldiers.

· Last quarter of 1968

3,597 hours

36,691 passengers

15,773 tons of cargo

· The year of 1968

14,397 hours

57,505 tons of cargo

158,726 passengers

24 aircraft recoveries

578 medical evacuations

77% OR rate

· The Unit and Soldiers were awarded

7 Distinguished Flying Crosses

9 Bronze Stars

1 Bronze Star with "V"

87 Air Medals

9 Air Medals with "V"

27 ARCOM's

1 ARCOM with "V"

631 Air Medal "Oak Leaf's"

7 Purple Hearts

1969

1969 (Unit Historian: 1LT Walter Sullivan Jr.)

The unit remained assigned under the 214th CAB.

· 12 January, Mr. Ellis VP of Boeing-Vertol visited the 147th to
see how the aircraft were performing in combat.

· 15 January, SPC5 Rufles Hodges of Midland, Texas was killed on
Hillclimber 128 while he was working during night maintenance. He was
struck on the head by one of the forward blades and pronounced DOA at the
36th Evacuation Hospital. On the 19th, a memorial service was held by the
flight platoon.

· 28 January, a new MTOE was inacted for the 147th and the only
change was the deletion of the 171st (phase) maintenance Detachment.

· 23 February, the airfield came under attack with 4 rocket rounds
and all aircraft departed. The POL dump was on fire and the Hillclimbers
primary mission was to deliver fire-fighting work to put out the fire.

· 27 February, "Red Day" for aircraft 61-9070 (CWO Larry
walker, CWO Van Peterson, FE James Allen, CE Frank Chief) when the CH47A
departed at 0900 to the east with an external load, they lost one engine.
The PIC jettisoned the load and regained control of the aircraft and began
to return to the airfield. They lost the second engine and started an
autorotation. The aircraft struck the ground and rolled over on its back
and was totally destroyed. There were no fatalities but both pilots were
medivaced. The crew received no injuries.

· 9 March, The USARV Cobra Training Team was attached and on 17
March (assigned with 8 AH-1S's.) · On 25 March, Major Gordon Hunt
(Commander) and 1LT Roger Syverud flew the first "C" Model CH47
to the company area. The aircraft had better fuel capacity and better
flying characteristics.

· 6 April, The Minister for the Army, Australian Forces visited
Vang Tau and the 147th demonstrated the capabilities of their new "C"
model Chinook.

· 26 April, there was an award ceremony where the Distinguished
Flying Cross and Bronze Star was awarded to CW3 Floyd Blyers and SP6
Donald Bagley. WO1 Bobby Cross received an Air Medal with Valor. Also, SP4
David Hiben and SP4 Alan Stump received an ARCOM with "V".

· There was a change of command where MAJ Frank Meegan took command
from MAJ Hunt.

· Second quarter

3,155 hours

8,233 sorties

10,496 tons of cargo

26,286 passengers

434 medical evacuations

34 aircraft recoveries

· The 147th was now redesignated under the 164th Aviation Group.

· 8 July, the 147th participated in its first troop withdraw from
Vietnam. They had a combined effort with the 271st Aviation Company. Each
company launched 7 aircraft from Dong Tam to Tan Son Nhat for a closing
ceremony then to Bien Hoa for their trip home.

· July

1,053 hours

2,356 sorties

2,256 tons of cargo

11,014 passengers

311 medical evacuations

14 aircraft recoveries

· August

1,256 hours

2,509 sorties

2,147 tons of cargo

12,792 passengers

19 aircraft recoveries

· September 975 hours (The only month they flew less
then 1,100 hours in their entire tour in Vietnam)

1,481 tons of cargo

9,574 passengers

· Hillclimber 817, CW2 Mark MaClaren and CW2 Robert Gardner doing a
G-4 resupply mission acquired a severe high frequency vibration and loud
pounding from the drive shaft. The FM radio was broken as usual and they
were unable to contact any fellow Hillclimber aircraft. Their flight
continued and revealed 2 busted lord mounts on the #4 drive shaft and
talked with the ground commander to request permission to secure aircraft
for the night. The base security had taken heavy fire on the previous 3
nights and expected a full assault tonight. The ground commander advised
the crew that they could not ensure security and the area might be overrun
and highly suggested the aircraft to be removed. Technical knowledge was
put into play and the broken lord mounts were repaired quickly by using
undershirts to absorb the shock of the drive shaft. CW2 McClaren elected
to fly the aircraft back and notified the crew that their presence would
be strictly a volunteer basis. As the aircraft started up, every
crewmember was at his station. Hillclimber 817 departed after dark to
return to Can Tho which was the nearest secure area. Severe high frequency
vibrations and drive shaft pounding accompanied the entire flight along
with continuous ground fire. 11 times the aircraft took heavy fire, 6
times it received moderate fire, and sparatic fire was ever present. The
aircraft was called "shot down" on 3 separate occasions by
aircraft observing the intense ground fire. The highest height they could
maintain was 25-50 AGL. An automatic weapon opened up on the aircraft from
300 feet away, 1 round struck the ship and passed through the door gunners
leg. The gunner quickly silenced the position while bleeding profusely.
Seconds later, an RPG exploded so close to the aircraft that mud was
thrown over the side of the aircraft. After 45 minutes of hell, the
aircraft could see the approach lights of Can Tho and they all made it
home safely.

· 15 October, MAJ Marvin Cox Jr. took command of the 147th.

· The 147th was assigned a new concept for a mission called "fog
dispersion". The idea was that 1 CH47 and 1 CH54 could clear LZ's
that were fog bound. In theory, the rotorwash from the aircraft would
create large holes in fog banks if they hovered just over the fog bank.
Due to the time of year, fog was scarce and the actual activity to use the
mission was very slight.

· On one occasion the aircraft were called to clear a LZ. After
arriving, the Chinook cleared an area 500 meters by 1,000 meters long in a
matter of 5 minutes. Before the aircraft arrived, the fog made visibility
1/8 to zero visibility for the pathfinders.

· The last days of November found the aircraft carrying an Infantry
Blue racing stripe on the nose and front pylon. History and origin is
obscure as to the significance of the racing stripe but it was an
outstanding moral booster.

"No Hill for a Climber-No Mission Too Difficult"

· Last quarter 1969

3,719 hours

7,031 tons of cargo

36,296 passengers

6,866 sorties

The following soldiers received the Distinguished Service
Cross:

MAJ James Clinton

MAJ Marvin Cox

CPT Richard Campbell

CPT James Davis

CPT James Hertsch

CW2 Dennis Abramowics

CW2 Larry Fann

CW2 James Journey

CW2 Mark MacLaren

CW2 Wallace Paddock

WO1 John Fehrs

SP4 Robert Busic

1970

1970 (Unit Historian: CWO Arlo Green)

· The 147th was assigned to the 307th Combat Aviation Battalion at
Vung Tau.

· January

2,318 sorties

1,366 hours

2,762 tons of cargo

8,889 passengers

17 aircraft recoveries

· 5 January, the U.S. Navy's tugboat "Danna Lee" was
aground 35 miles south of Vung Tau. The boat went aground because of a
25-knot wind and a #4 Sea State. The boat was in immediate danger of
capsizing and breaking up. Hillclimber 842 piloted by CW2 Charles Mathews
and CW2 Robert Gardner were dispatched and they saw 9 men on the ship's
deck. The waves were breaking over the bow and the aircraft hovered 50
feet over the boat and raised each of the sailors to safety.

· Also at the same time flew its 339,270,000th
pound of cargo, carried its 478,976th
passenger, carried its 2,338th
medical evacuation, recovered its 816th
aircraft since its arrival in Vietnam.

· February

2,139 sorties

2,469 tons of cargo

12,202 passengers

1,178 hours

10 aircraft recoveries

· The busiest period in unit history when every pilot averaged 140
hours a month and departures at 0300 and arrivals at 2400 were extremely
common.

· March

1,659 hours

103 hours/aircraft 87% OR rate

3,048 sorties

3,772 tons of cargo

18,127 passengers

8 aircraft recoveries ·

April 69-March 70 14,676 accident free combat hours

· The 147th moved from Vung Tau to Can Tho
AAF.

· April

1,310 hours

11,118 passengers

2,567 sorties

3,276 tons of cargo

· During the 12 months from April 69-March 70, the 147th flew
14,676.9 hours of accident free combat hours.

· The 147th entered the Cambodian Campaign support for the 9th ARVN
from Moc Hoa to forward locations in Cambodia.

· May

2,990 sorties

13,94 passengers

4,508 tons of cargo

11 aircraft

1,578 hours

· June 7th, the 147th moved permanently from Vung Tau to Can Tho
AAF.

· 13 June, there was a change of command where MAJ Mark Harbman
took command from MAJ Marvin Cox

· June

1,793 sorties

2,382 tons of cargo

8,928 passengers

1,134 hours

Recovered 8 Cobras,

18 UH-1's, and 1 A-37

· July 2,245 sorties

3,399 tons of cargo

22,058 passengers

1,257 hours

22 aircraft recoveries

· August

1,257 sorties

2,659 tons of cargo

10,042 passengers

Recovered 6 Cobra's and 34 UH-1's

· The 147th flew its 60,000th
combat flying in Vietnam. "No Chinook Company in the Republic of
Vietnam has exceeded this fact and they did the last 10,000 hours in 8
months" The Boeing Company sent the unit a plaque for this
outstanding achievement.

· September

3,053 tons of cargo

16,520 passengers

2,386 sorties 1,187 hours

Recovered 9 Cobras and 31 UH-1's

· 28 October 1970, MAJ James Clinton took command of the 147th.

· October

2,864 sorties

3,268 tons of cargo

20,077 passengers

1,294 hours recovered

9 Cobra's, 39 UH-1's, 1 O-1, 1 U-6 (50 aircraft recoveries
which was the largest since its arrival in Vietnam)

· The 147th started a new mission called "flame munitions
bombardment." On 11 November, 3 Chinooks dropped barrels of mo-gas
(Napalm) on a mountain southwest of Chi Lang. Pathfinders stated that the
mo-gas landed on target every time. The 147th had a new nickname because
of the mission, "Hillburners".

· November was a slow month

2,089 sorties

2,442 tons of cargo

6,164 passengers

948 hours recovered

7 Cobra's, 39 UH-1's, and 2 U-6 aircraft

· December

2,393 sorties

3,184 tons of cargo

4,122 passengers

1,096 hours recovered 9 Cobra's and 27 UH-1's

· Recap for the year of 1970:

23,106 hours

71,181 tons of cargo

221,241 passengers

315 aircraft recoveries

Flew its 60,000th combat hour 10,000 hours in the last 8
months

· Quote from change of command ceremony
1970.

"In the time frame of a year a lot of statistics are compiled
but statistics themselves make a very dry fare, but when viewed from the
individual and the unit effort required to do the work the statistics
represent; they become fact, not only interesting but impressive. During
1970, the 147th Assault Support Helicopter (ASH) Company flew 23,106.5
hours, transported 71,181 tons of cargo, carried 221,241 passengers, and
had 315 aircraft recoveries. The year brought forth opportunities and new
records and precedents. One of these was the Hillclimbers passing the
60,000th combat flying hour mark. Another was flying 10,000 hours in 8
months. The execution and perfection of flame munitions bombardment was a
real accomplishment. With the combat turnover in personnel, the unit
manning to maintain its personality and "can do" attitude has
prevailed throughout the changes in personnel. Everyone continues to
adhere to our motto that there is "No Hill for a Climber"
-----------------Hillclimber 06 (1970)

1971

· The 147th was involved in Lam Son 719 operation, the U-Minh
operation and gas drops in 7 sister mountain areas.

· Year of 1971

18,861 sorties

25,091 tons of cargo

77,273 passengers

9,892 hours

286 aircraft recoveries

· The unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation, the
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Boeing Vertol 36,000 hour
of safe flying award.

Commanders of 147th:

Maj. James Clinton III, Nov 70-May 71 Maj.

Joel Hinson, May 71-Sep 71

Maj. Donald Sinor, Oct 71-Dec 71

1972

1972 (Unit Historian: CW2 James Holley)

· January

926 hours

2051 sorties

3,429 tons of cargo

5,768 passengers

· On February 13th 1972, there was one mission for 147th to fly in
support for the 21st ARVN at Ca Man. After the flight, MAJ Donald Sinor
was given orders to stand down the unit. The news was welcomed and the war
was over for the 147th and they were going home. Some were going to other
CH47 units in country.

· The aircraft needed inspections, cleaned up, and inventoried
before being shipped off.

· Out of the 18 Chinooks of the 147th only 12 were going to Hawaii
while the others were going to other units in Vietnam. The unit was only
given 7 days to get the aircraft to Vung Tau and ready to be shipped off.

· On the 13th, the unit packed up and loaded on USS Seatrain "Ohio".
The majority of the unit got to go to Hawaii, but a few were left back to
be reassigned to other CH47 units.

· On the 14th, the "Ohio" departed Vung Tau to Hawaii.

· CW2 Roger Evans was the lone guard with the aircraft while the
company got to fly on USAF 747 aircraft.

· The statistic proudly claimed by the 147th and unprecedented by
any other combat aviation unit in the world, is the 32,026.7 continuous
accident free hours since 29 February 1969.

· Achievements from Vietnam included the

Meritorious Unit Citation;

Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm

and the Boeing Vertol 36,000-hour safety flying award.

· This was a quote prior to boarding the aircraft by the commander
to his soldiers. "Although the aircraft and personnel had left
the war-torn country of Vietnam, the accomplishments of the unit remained
behind, vividly to the fact that the aggressive enemy of the peoples of
South Vietnam had yet to obtain his goal. For those who measure a unit's
achievement by statistics alone "The Hillclimbers" of the 147th
compiled an array of figures, which would impress even the most demanding
critic. During its war efforts, the 147th amassed a total of 78,372.5
hours flown, hauled 289,148.7 metric tons of cargo, carried 79,834
passengers, completed 2,245 medical evacuations, recovered 1,456 aircraft
and received credit for55 confirmed flame drop kills. Such a record is not
only a credit to the company and the US Army but also to the entire field
of combat aviation. The 147th by record placed itself on the top step of
the ladder of professionalism."

· 23 March, the 147th set up a temporary orderly room with the
161st Aviation Company at Schofield Barracks attached to US Army Hawaii.

· The boat from Vietnam docked at Ford Island at 0630 on the 31st
March when the 147th officially landed in Hawaii.